Phillies Off-Season 2024-2025 (Hot Stove)

[zambonir]

Meaning the Phillies treat opposing scouts well or they are a good place for scouts to work? (And, perhaps, a team that still values human scouts in a way that scouts appreciate?)

[andyb]

We probably pay pretty well too. Surprised the Braves are not near the top of the list. Maybe their organization is going downhill a bit.

[allentown]

I get that he is insurance for a left-handed bat getting hurt, it just is not that important to the team. Somebody at AAA could fill that role. Cal Stevenson or Rojas could play CF and shift Marsh to LF with Kepler going to 1B (

Yes, Rojas' D in CF makes him an option if we need a LHP since he actually hits RHP better than LHP, at least in 2024. This is SSS compared to the Castellanos splits I listed earlier, so perhaps treat Rojas as agnostic about which hand the opposing pitcher throws with.

[el-pietro]

Just an FYI on Rooker. He was recently on effectively wild and mentioned that he was carrying an injury in 2024. He could have played the field if necessary but they were happy with him at DH. I think he had surgery in October but I can't remember now and its a long podcast so I'm not going to go through it again.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2259-rated-rooker/

[Matt_Winkelman]

Yeah, he straight up couldn't play the field last year, he can physically stand in the outfield now. That said, he has a minuscule sample size in the OF because he has mostly DH'd but over his sample size he rates out worse than Castellanos on a per PA rate

[EDmuch]

Rooker & A’s signed a 5 year $60 million dollar agreement.

[zambonir]

Yup, as the ESPN story notes, he was not available in trade in July and he was not available in trade this off-season.

A's have to get their payroll up to $100 million. He still only makes $5 million this coming season but the $12 million AAV helps them with that.

He was a poor fit for the Phillies even at a fair price (which still would have been considerable); a worse one at the level of "offer they couldn't refuse."

Still hard to imagine he takes the field in Las Vegas in 2028 (well, not the field in any case) but that's also part of what the A's are trying to sell their fan base now.

[VoteForKalas]

Well, the hot stove has cooled for the Phillies and around the league.

I guess everyone is in a holding pattern until some of the remaining big names make decisions.

[Callison]

Philadelphia Phillies Skipper Considering Moving Superstar to Leadoff Role

Want a disappointment?

[zambonir]

nobody wanted to go back to work this week

You never know, as things get closer to spring training the Phillies could pull off a modest surprise (a la the Soto deal) or a big one. But there aren't really that many FAs left. Safe to say the Phillies long ago decided to pass on the top remaining hitters available, and the relievers too. A lot of DHs out there too which is of no use.

[zambonir]

That's just a clickbait non-story. One Inquirer writer decided to revisit the topic based on Thomson's ancient comments. She makes a perfectly good argument though. For one thing, if it's good enough for Ohtani, the actual best hitter in MLB, why not Harper. But also:

In 2024, the No. 1 spot in the Phillies’ lineup had 759 plate appearances in the regular season, while the No. 3 spot had 717.

Those 42 additional plate appearances come at the end of games, often in decisive, high-leverage situations.

The traditional argument against leading off a player like Ohtani or Harper would be taking RBI opportunities away from your best hitter by having him hit either with the bases empty or after the nine-hole hitter.

But in 2024, Schwarber actually had more opportunities than Harper with runners in scoring position. Hitting in the leadoff spot, Schwarber had 154 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, compared to Harper’s 148 plate appearances.

Batting leadoff for the Phillies ... Bryce Harper? A case can be made to move...

Of course Harper had fewer guys on base because Schwarber had already knocked them (or himself) in.

[bkox]

Sadly... Dont believe any SI stories anymore. The once great publication is now on its last legs and just posts click bait stories to get ad views.

[Callison]

Too good to resist for me because I've been hoping Rob would rethink the order for a while.

[VoteForKalas]

MLB reports confirm Sasaki has met with 7 teams: Mets, Yanks, Dodgers, Padres, Cubs, Giants and Rangers.

Seems a shame we cannot get involved to land this talent. He could certainly help us win.

[Deadgmwalking]

Almost all of those cities has a significant Japanese population and huge cultural presence. California is obvious, but NYC has a dedicated section of Manhattain near Bryant Park and most of Weehawken across the river.

Money being equal, you can't beat a home cooked tonkotsu ramen at the Ramen Festa when you're 6,500 miles from home and have a tenuous grasp on the language.

[zambonir]

There are very good Japanese restaurants in Philly (and several more about to open) but that is not the same thing as a longstanding community. I think the West is always going to have the edge for travel time from home too.

And all of those teams have also previously signed a prominent Japanese player. Phillies need to open that gate but this is not the player where they can do it (with money). They already knew they were out when they traded for Luzardo

[julio]

Phillies avoid arbitration with handful of players ahead of deadline

Luzardo: $6.225M
Suarez: $8.8M
Bohm: $7.7M
Stott: $3.2M
Marsh: $3.0M

No reports yet on Stubbs or Sosa.

Stubbs signed earlier for $925K

[allentown]

Bohm is a bargain. Marsh is a super bargain. On the pitching side, Suarez is a bargain and there's a reasonable chance that Luzardo turns out to be a bargain.

[andyb]

Luzardo $225K over MLBTR estimate. Suarez $100K below. Bohm $400K below. Stott $300K below. Marsh right at estimate so we gain about $600K net. Did Jose Ruiz sign earlier also in addition to Stubbs?

[allentown]

Luzardo $225K over MLBTR estimate. Suarez $100K below. Bohm $400K below. Stott $300K below. Marsh right at estimate so we gain about $600K net. Did Jose Ruiz sign earlier also in addition to Stubbs?

It's not a matter of above or below MLBTR estimate, the arb rules make players under team control who can put up 3 WAR at salaries like these bargains. I only count on Ranger for 2.0-2.5 WAR but if he reaches the 2.0 WAR, paying $4.4 MM/WAR for a S.P. is a bargain. S.F. just paid $15 mill for an old SP, who would greatly surprise me if he reaches 2.0 WAR. To me, this is the only way to build a winning team. If DD had traded the young guys to acquire costly vets, as so many columnists suggested, then the team would be in worse shape in 2025 and horrendous shape going forward.